Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Editor's Note

Prof. Dr. A. K. Azad Chowdhury

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Quality Characteristics and Αlpha-Tocopherol Content of Shea Butter Samples from Selected Markets Within Three Southwestern States of Nigeria

Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) butter samples from selected markets in Nigeria were analyzed for AOAC
quality characteristics and α-tocopherol content. The α-tocopherol was determined by RP-HPLC and mg per serving
and % daily values (% DV) were estimated. The ranges of acid value (AV) [mgKOH/kg], free fatty acid (FFA) [%],
peroxide value (PV) [meqO2/Kg], iodine value (IV) [gI2/100g] and saponification value (SV) [mgKOH/g] were 2.20-
2.59, 1.15-1.30, 0.75-0.95, 44.43-47.85 and 170.08-259.30, respectively. The -tocopherol had a retention time of
3.561 minutes and its content ranged from 1.15-2.60 mg/100 g in the samples, but 5.25 mg/100 g for the laboratory
sample. Milligram (mg) per serving and percentage dietary value were 0.16-0.74 and 1.07-4.93, respectively. Quality
characteristics varied significantly (p < 0.05) both within and across different markets. Based on the PV and IV
results, the marketed shea butter samples may be both food and industry-grade but failed the FFA test. Similarly, 40%
of samples did not qualify for domestic consumption and food industry applications. Hence, the samples with <5%
DV values cannot serve as dietary sources of α-tocopherol.

A Cross-sectional Study to Evaluate People's Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Using Disinfectants and Sanitizers During COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh

The devastating novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide has become a global health
crisis. This disease is highly contagious and caused by the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome,
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, disinfectants and sanitizers are very
effective and readily available preventive agents. In this study, knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) levels of
Bangladeshi people's were assessed regarding the use of disinfectants and sanitizers during the pandemic. An online
questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the respondents from July 2021 to December 2021. A total number
of 428 respondents participated in this survey. Data were analysed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
(SPSS) V26 software and interpreted. Results revealed that most of the respondents were knowledgeable, had a
positive attitude and engaged in beneficial practice. Among the respondents, a significantly higher knowledge and
practice score were observed among females (54.1% and 54.4%, respectively) than their counterpart. Moreover,
people living in urban areas (71.7%) had a better attitude than the rural people (28.3%). In addition, a medium
positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = + 0.482), a weak positive association between attitude and
practice (r = +0.199), and a weak positive association between knowledge and practice (r = + 0.282) were found.
Overall, majority of the respondents had better KAP scores in knowledge and attitude with relatively low scores in
practice which indicates some space for betterment.

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Health Practitioners and Indigenous People in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh for the Treatment of Dysentery

Dysentery is frequently associated with high morbidity and mortality and is found in young children
and mainly affects those in developing nations. Rural people across the world trust on herbal remedies and
homeopathic medicines for their primary health care on account of their easy accessibility, efficacy and exceptionally
cost ampleness in relation to modern drugs. The purpose of the present study was to compile knowledge of
traditional healers and indigenous people in Chittagong hill tracts, Bangladesh, including Rangamati, Bandarban
and Khagrachari for the treatment of dysentery. The ethnomedicinal data was gathered from January 2019 to
January 2020 through open and focused group discussions and individual meetings utilizing semi-structured
questionnaire. An aggregate of 75 people were interviewed, including traditional health practitioners. Frequency
and percentage were utilized to sum up the data. Relative frequency of citation (RFC) was determined and
inclination positioning activities were led to appraise the significance of the revealed medicinal plants. An
aggregate of 90 medicinal plants from 52 families and 79 genera were recorded during the survey. Leaves were
discovered to be the most largely used plant part (35%) followed by root (19%) and herbs (40%) were the essential
wellspring of medicinal plants, followed by trees (20%). The major mode of preparation is juice (68%) followed by
paste (11%) and cooked form (7%). Centella asiatica scored the highest RFC value (0.773). The survey
addresses the preliminary information of certain medicinal plants having anti-dysenteric property. However, further
phytochemical investigation, validation and clinical trial sought to be conducted, with need given to those that scored
the most elevated RFC values prior to utilizing these plants as an option in contrast to modern medicine.

Evaluation of Total Phenolic, Flavonoid Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Different Parts of Averrhoa carambola L.

Md. Mizanur Rhaman, Mohammad Shoeb, Md. Nazrul Islam

Averrhoa carambola L. belonging to the Oxalidaceae family has fruits with attractive star shape. Total
phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of various parts of A. carambola have been studied to
explore active extracts for novel antioxidant compounds. Methanol extract of bark contained the highest amount of
phenolic constituent (125 mg GAE/g of dry extract). However, hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts
contained the maximum number of flavonoids and were 45, 92 and 72 mg QE/g of dry extract, respectively. Since the
bark possessed the highest antioxidant capacity, it contained more phenolic compounds than other extracts of fruits
and leaves. Total antioxidant capacity of hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of bark were 62, 117 and
151 mg AAE/g of dry extract, respectively. The results recommend that the bark part can be a good source of
phenolic compounds as it showed the highest antioxidant capacity. The fruit and leave parts are also rich sources of
antioxidant compounds.

Evaluation of the Formulation of Combined Dosage Form of Albendazole and Mebendazole through In vitro Physicochemical and Anthelmintic Study

In the current study, the combination of albendazole and mebendazole was analyzed as a potential
anthelmintic agent against Lumbricus terrestris (commonly known as earthworms). The in vitro analysis showed the
combination of 400 mg albendazole and 300 mg mebendazole had more significant therapeutic activities (mean
paralysis time 58 minutes and mean death time 97.33 minutes) than the others. Then the combinations were
formulated as tablet using different ratios of excipients where formulation-D performed excellent flow properties
(Carr’s index: 14.04±0.27, Hausner’s ratio: 1.19 ± 0.03, Angle of repose: 40.22 ± 0.73). The dosage form prepared
from formulation-D had better hardness of 9.40 ± 0.34 kg-N and loss of weight of 0.003 mg compared to other
formulations. In terms of disintegration and dissolution studies, formulation-D exhibited excellent properties. The
tablet was disintegrated fully within 8.94 ± 0.37 minutes in phosphate buffer (pH 8.3) and dissolution analysis
showed R2 of 0.995 for albendazole and 0.991 for mebendazole which were statistically significant. The postformulation
anthelmintic study showed that the prepared tablet dosage form was therapeutically effective because it
paralyzed and killed all the earthworms within 56 and 85 minutes, respectively. Finally, the tablet was subjected to
the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis which confirmed better surface morphology and drug-drug
compatibility within the dosage form. The next stage of the work will focus on in vivo analysis for market
preparation.

Evaluation of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench on the Reduction of Creatinine Levels and Its Antioxidant Properties In vitro

The study investigated the effect of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench extract on the renal activity of both
normal and ailing patients. Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, vacuum liquid chromatography and TLC
were carried out. The creatinine reduction ability was analyzed using Jaffe’s method for clean-catch spot urine
samples of normal, diabetic and hypertensive patients. S. bicolor showed strong antioxidant activity with an IC50
value of 52.17 μg/ml, compared to the standard vitamin C with an IC50 value of 40.59 μg/ml. Statistical analysis
(ANOVA) result showed a significant difference between the patients’ urine (rows) (p-value = 2.77×10–08) and a
significant difference between the dose treatments (columns) (p-value = 8.38×10–14). Whilst different fractions of S.
bicolor at different concentrations showed varying effects on the creatinine concentration, it reduced creatinine level
in low doses and has antioxidant properties.

In vitro Comparative Studies of the Leaf Extracts of Four Different Types of Calamus Species

The leaf extracts of Calamus tenius, Calamus viminalis, Calamus guruba and Calamus erectus
possessed various phytochemicals including alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, phenols, tannins, flavonoids,
glycosides, fixed oils and steroids. The point of the present investigation was to compare the antioxidant profile of
different leaf extracts of these species. In the present study, methanol, ethanol and chloroform extract of leaf of C.
tenius, C. viminalis, C. guruba and C. erectus were explored for in-vitro thrombolytic activity, membrane stabilizing
activity by using hypotonic solution-induced & heat-induced hemolysis and antioxidant profile. Ethanol extracts of
all plant species demonstrated the highest percentage of clot lysis. During hypotonic solution-induced hemolysis,
methanol extract of C. erectus inhibited 59.74% whereas during heat induced condition ethanol extracts of all plant
species demonstrated the highest percentage inhibition of hemolysis of RBCs. The screenings of the plants revealed
that leaf extracts contain phenolic and flavonoid contents in great amount with the high level of antioxidant capacity.
The chloroform extract of C. tenius (2.45 μg/ml) and methanol extract of C. erectus (1.74 μg/ml) leaf showed potent
DPPH and H2O2 scavenging activity, respectively. The nitric oxide scavenging activity was not significantly different
for methanol, ethanol and chloroform extracts. Methanol, ethanol and chloroform extracts of these four plants showed
medium to moderate reducing power and cupric reducing capacity in comparison to standard. A strong relationship
was found between the antioxidant activity of the extracts with their total phenolic and flavonoid contents.

Antiproliferative and Antibacterial Potentials of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Bangladeshi Medicinal Plant Tinospora Cordifolia

Endophytes provide mutual benefits and produce various biologically active secondary metabolites in
plants. Our study was designed to isolate and identify fungal endophytes from fresh leaf and bark of Tinospora
cordifolia, coupled with their bioactivity and preliminary chemical screening. Six endophytic fungi were isolated
using surface sterilization technique. The fungi were identified by microscopic and molecular characterization and
confirmed TCLE-1 as Fusarium perseae, TCLE-2 as Fusarium keratoplasticum, TCLE-3 as fusarium
macrosporum, TCBE-1 as Fusarium falciforme and TCBE-2 as well as TCBE-3 leaving unidentified. Isolated
strains were cultured in large scale on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and were extracted using ethyl acetate.
Antibacterial activity of fungal extracts was performed by disc diffusion method and cytotoxicity using HeLa cell
line by MTT assay. In antimicrobial test, all the fungal extracts except TCBE-2 showed moderate to potent activity
in comparison to the standard kanamycin. All, except TCBE-2, demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity on HeLa
cell. Preliminary chemical profiling using thin liquid chromatography (TLC) and analytical high performance liquid
chromatography techniques indicated the presence of secondary metabolites in fungal extracts. In conclusion,
endophytic fungi reside in the T. cordifolia, a native medicinal plant in Bangladesh, could be a potent source of
putative antibacterial and anticancer compounds.

Study of Risk Factors and Assessment of Hematotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Among Women Stroke Patient with Metabolic Syndrome

Derouiche Samir, Salem Saadia, Leguemairi Maroua

This study aims at evaluating some risk factors and the variation of certain hematological and
oxidative stress markers in women with stroke disease. The observation (clinical study) was done on 130 voluntary
women, divided into metabolic syndrome patients with and without stroke disease. Risk factors were estimated by
Chi-square test. Results demonstrated that the high levels of family stress, self-medication and anticoagulants
treatment were the most dangerous risk factors to stroke diseases, whereas brushing of teeth daily had an important
protective factors against participants from disease. From biological study, results showed that RBC, hemoglobin,
GSH and total thiol levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) while WBC, neutrophile, platelet, MDA, SOD,
ORAC and vit C levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in women with metabolic syndrome (MS) + stroke
patients as compared to MS patients without stroke. In conclusion, several socioeconomic and clinical factors
contributed to the dispersion and development of the stroke. In addition, oxidative stress during metabolic syndrome
contributes to the development of stroke disease.

Influence of Cardiologists’ Demographic Profile on Overall Satisfaction Towards Marketing Mix Strategies

Jesmin Sultana, Mohammad Saifuddin, Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan

This study aims to investigate the influence of cardiologists’ demographic characteristics on their
satisfaction towards marketing mix strategies (MMS) employed by pharmaceutical industries in Bangladesh.
Cardiologists (156) were asked to rate the importance of variables of MMS indicating their degree of agreement with
satisfaction statement using a 5-point Likert scale. The variables of marketing mix (4Ps) that can be ranked as top 5
out of 14 variables according to their Spearman correlation coefficients are - brand image (r = 0.532); selling skill of
medical representatives (r = 0.507), place of retail pharmacy (r = 0.484), promotional policies (r = 0.476) and
continuous medical education program for doctors (r = 0.345). Though the overall mean satisfaction score of females
(M = 4.06, SD = 0.87) is higher than that of male (M=3.84, SD =1.02), the difference is not significant; p = 0.260,
Cohen’s d = 0.217 showed the effect is small. Experience above 10 years was labeled as high (41%), otherwise low
(59%). Experience had substantial influence on perceived satisfaction towards promotion. Finally, overall satisfaction
scores varied based on academic qualification of cardiologists; p < 0.05, and Eta-squared = 0.068 implies medium
effect. The highest overall satisfaction score was attained for D. Card and others (M = 4.32, SD = 0.82) and the
lowest is for MD (M = 3.57, SD =10.9). Cardiologists’ satisfaction score towards product (the lowest is for MD and
the highest is for D. Card and others); p < 0.05; Eta-squared = 0.05 (small effect) and promotion (the lowest is for
MBBS and the highest is for D. Card and others) vary significantly according to their academic qualification, p <
0.05; Eta-squared = 0.095 implies medium effect.

Ethnobotanical Study on Medicinal Plants Used by the Ethnic People of Khagrachhari District, Bangladesh

B. K. Sajeeb, Mohammad Zashim Uddin, Ritesh Bachar, Sitesh C. Bachar

The present study deals with important ethnopharmacological information, both in qualitative and
quantitative manners on medicinal plants of Khagrachhari district of Bangladesh. The survey was conducted in a
period of six months from January 2016 to June 2016 and was interviewed among 155 ethnic people including
tribal, Bengalis and 14 traditional health practitioners of eight upazillas in open and semi structured form. The most
of the interviewers were Chakma (82%), Marma (8%) and the rest were Tripura (2%) and Bengalis (8%). The total
ethnomedicinal plant species was 94, among them 92 were angiosperms, one was gymnosperm and one fern. The
plant species belonging to 44 families and 86 generas are used to treat about 53 types of ailments. The different life
forms among the species are 28 herbs, 25 trees, 24 shrubs and 17 climbers. The survey showed that the most
commonly used plant part was leaves (34.55%) and the most frequent method of preparation was extraction
(39.18%) against different ailments. The major treatment options of the medicinal plants of Khagrachhari hilly areas
are identified from the study and recommended to take immediate measures for conservation of traditional
knowledge of the area. This study showed a hopeful perception for future studies, flaking light on taking immediate
measures on inventory of medicinal plants of hilly areas, documentation of verbal information, conservation of
threatened plant species, sustainable management of risky areas and preservation of traditional knowledge of herbal
medicine in Khagrachhari district, Bangladesh.

Phytochemical, Biochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Plantago ovata (Ispaghula Husk) – A Review

The plantation, evolvement, phytochemical, pharmaceutical and pharmacological properties of
Plantago ovata have been reviewed to reconnoiter the plant’s diverse properties. P. ovata belonging to the family
Plantaginaceae is a perennial plant native to the Mediterranean area, particularly Southern Europe, North Africa and
West Asia. It has a variety of medicinal and pharmacological effects as it is frequently employed in a variety of
medications for its medicinal features such as mucilage, super-disintegrant, gelling agent and suspending agent as
well as pharmacological effects such as anti-diarrheal, anti-constipation, wound curer, hypocholesterolemic and
hypoglycemia. That’s why, P. ovata may be utilized to make a variety of medicinal products as well as a safe and
effective ethnobotanical cure for different health problems. A number of market preparations of Ispaghula are also
available in the local market of Bangladesh. Information regarding diversified properties of P. ovata collected from
different electronic databases (PubMed, Springer link, MDPI link, ResearchGate, Google, Google Scholar and
Science Direct) have been summarized here to support the researchers to retrieve information about P. ovata.